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HISTORY OF THE GIFT OF 
SIX HUNDRED NATIONAL 
FLAGS TO THE SCHOOLS OF 
PORTO RICO 



BY LAFAYETTE POST, NO. 140 
DEPARTMENT OF NEW YORK 
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC 

1898 



ARRANGED BY 

WILBUR F. BROWN, Adjutant 



^ 



NEW YORK 

PRIVATELY PUBLISHED BY THE POST 

1899 



Press of J. J. Little & Co. 
Aster Place, New York 



In exch. 
D. of C. ?')b. Lib. 



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V*,.. 

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THIS VOLUME IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED TO 
JUNIOR VICE COMMANDER 

ALLAN C. BAKEWELL 

BY HIS COMRADES OF LAFAYETTE POST 

AS A TESTIMONIAL OF THEIR APPRECIATION OF 

HIS SERVICES AS THEIR REPRESENTATIVE IN 

PRESENTING IN PERSON THE NATIONAL 

FLAG TO THE "SCHOOLS OF 

PORTO RICO. 



HISTORY OF THE GIFT OF 
SIX HUNDRED NATIONAL 
FLAGS TO THE SCHOOLS 
OF PORTO RICO : : : : 



New York, January, 1899. 

Dear Comrade Bakewell: 

At a special encampment of Lafayette Post, held 
December 30th, 1898, following the reading of your 
report upon your mission to Porto Rico to present to 
the schools of that island the National Flag in the name 
of Lafayette Post, it was resolved that the report, your 
address of presentation and the several documents in 
connection therewith, should be published for distribu- 
tion and in a manner befitting the important occasion. 
This action was unanimous, and was intended not only 
to record the patriotic work of the Post in fulfilment of 
its self-imposed task of encouraging reverence for the 
flag among the youth of our land, but to testify as well 
to your unselfish devotion to the interests of the Post 
and your loyalty to country. 

9 



The desire of your comrades to show appreciation of 
your disregard of the dangers to health in performing so 
meritorious a service, and of your voluntary gift of time 
and the expenses of the journey, will, I am sure, be 
manifested more in consonance with your wishes by this 
tribute than by any other they could devise. 

This little book is sent forth as a sequel to your mis- 
sion, with the hope that it may carry an influence with 
it that shall bear fruit to the credit of the Grand Army 
of the Republic and be an heritage to those who shall 
live after we have finished our labors. 

With it is sent a blessing to all kindred societies who 
labor for the welfare of others, and with it is added sin- 
cere expressions of thankfulness that neither disease nor 
disaster befell you amid the perils of your journey. That 
your years may be long and your cup of happiness full 
is the wish of all your comrades of the Post. 

Yours in F., C, and L., 




Commander. 
To Comrade Allan C. Bakewell. 



10 



Extract from Post Minutes of August 5, 1898 

" Comrade Holly addressed the Post on a proposition 
to send flags to public schools at Porto Rico . . . 
and it was resolved to send at least two flags to Porto 
Rico to General Miles and a flag to Santiago. This 
motion was carried, and the subject was referred to the 
Standing Committee on Flag Presentation with power." 



II 



CIRCULAR 

Lafayette Post, No. 140, 
Dept. of New York, G. A. R. 

New York, Atigust 29, 1898. 

Comrade: 

This memoranda with regard to flags for Porto Rico 
is enclosed separate from the Post order that the whole 
matter may be clearly understood and comrades may 
act their pleasure in contributing. 

Feeling that the committee could not authorize ex- 
penditures on account of the Post without formal resolu- 
tion and action of the Post, the Commander offered to 
bear the expense of the whole affair, but it was thought 
better if it could be made under the auspices of the 
Post by voluntary contributions from comrades to do 
so.* There was not time for delay. Cable advices from 
General Miles, Porto Rico, gave the number of public 
schools at 548, and private schools at 38. Further cables 
announced schools as opening August 15th. The propo- 
sition to supply these schools with flags has met with the 
approval of and has been accepted by the Government. 

The necessary flags are being made of approved ma- 
terial and pattern by responsible contractors. They 
will be personally presented with appropriate remarks 
to each school in Porto Rico by the Junior Vice-Com- 

*The latter course was the one pursued. 

13 



mander Bakewell, accompanied by a learned and ex- 
pert interpreter. 

Any comrade who may desire to contribute will 
please send his contribution to Comrade E. A. Whit- 
field, care of Tiffany & Co., Union Square, New York, 
with the enclosed blank clearly filled out. Each com- 
rade contributing can have, for each two dollars sub- 
scribed, his name, or that of his wife, or any member of 
his family or friend, inscribed on the canvas edge hoist 
as presenting the flag so marked to the school to which 
the flag is given, thereby connecting the individual with 
the work as well as the Post. 

It is necessary that contributions should be made 
promptly. 

It is not doubted that comrades, if they so decide, will 
find others who would be pleased to join, and blanks to 
fill up for others are enclosed herewith, to be sent in with 
the names and contributions to Treasurer Whitfield. 

Full authority having been given by the committee to 
the Commander to carry out the whole matter as he 
thought best, it will be carried out completely as herein 
indicated — this opportunity being given to comrades to 
join if they so desire. The flags will be sent without 
delay and without regard to whether contributions suf- 
ficient are received or otherwise — of course the Com- 
mander will be very glad if every comrade can join in 
the matter. 

Yours in F., C, and L., 




Commander. 
14 



General Headquarters, 

State of New York, 

Adjutant-General's Office. 

Albany, October i8, 1898. 

Special Orders, No. 1 89. 

I. Lieutenant-Colonel Allan C. Bakewell, Assistant 
Adjutant-General, having volunteered for the patriotic 
service, is hereby authorized to report to Major-General 
Daniel Butterfield, Commander of Lafayette Post, No. 
140, G. A. R., Department of New York, for the purpose 
of distributing to the public schools of the new United 
States Territory of Porto Rico the United States flags 
furnished for the purpose by that Post, in accordance 
with its custom and usage in promoting patriotic educa- 
tion and loyalty among school children. 

n. Lieutenant - Colonel Bakewell is hereby granted 
leave of absence. 

in. It is understood that no expenditures or charges 
are to be incurred thereby on behalf of the State of 
New York by Colonel Bakewell. 

By order of the Commander-in-Chief. 

C. Whitney Tillinghast, 2D, 

Adjutant- General. 
Official. 

I. F. Handy, 

As sis tan t Adjutant- General. 

To Lieut.-Col. Allan C. Bakewell, 
Assistant Adjutant-General, 



15 



War Department, 
Adjutant-General's Office, 
Washington, October ^2, li 



Commanding General, Department of Porto 
Rico, and other Officers of Military 
Posts in that Department. 

Sir : Lieutenant-Colonel A. C. Bakewell, U. S. Vol- 
unteers, visits Porto Rico for the purpose of distributing 
flags to the schools in that island generously donated 
by the Lafayette Post of New York. Secretary of War 
directs that all officers extend to Colonel Bakewell every 
facility to carry into effect the mission on which he 
comes. 

Very respectfully, 

H. C. CORBIN, 

Adjutant- General. 



i6 



Army Headquarters, 
Ponce, Porto Rico, August 21, 1898. 

Major Allan C. Bakewell, 

Vice- Commander Lafayette Post, No. 140. 
Union League Club, New York City. 

Dear Major: I have received your letter with the 
type-written copy of the letter from General Butterfield, 
for which I wish to express my thanks. I shall be very 
glad to see you here with the oflficer who is to accom- 
pany you, and assure you that I will render you every 
assistance possible in the way of transportation to carry 
out your most praiseworthy and patriotic work. I am 
sure that the raising of these flags on the schools of this 
beautiful island will add much to the patriotic feeling 
that exists now, and tend to endear our country more 
to its people, now a part of our own. It may be pos- 
sible that I may be called away before you arrive, in 
which event I am sure that General Wilson or General 
Brooke will do all they can to assist you. With best 
wishes, believe me, 

Very sincerely yours. 

Nelson A. Miles, 

Major- General. 



17 



Headquarters, 
Department of Porto Rico. 

San Juan, December i, 1898. 

To THE Commanding Officers of U. S. Troops 
IN Porto Rico : 

This will be presented to you by Colonel Allan C. 
Bakevvell of New York, who has a mission to fulfil in 
Porto Rico. It is desired by the Major-General com- 
manding that you give Colonel Bakewell such assistance 
as he may desire whenever it is possible to do so. 

Very respectfully, 

W. V. Richards, 

Assistant Adjutani-General, 



18 



479 Fifth Avenue, New York. 

December 30, 1898. 

To Major-General Daniel Butterfield, 

Commander Lafayette Post, No. 140, Dept. of N. V.,G. A. R. 

Dear Sir and Comrade: I have the honor to report 
upon my mission to Porto Rico to present to the schools 
there the flags donated for that purpose by and through 
Lafayette Post. 

Accompanied by Lieutenant H. K. Bird of the 171st 
Regiment, N. Y. N. G., who acted as my aide and secre- 
tary, I embarked on the transport Berlin, on November 
1 6th, having understood that that vessel would proceed 
direct to San Juan. Pursuant, however, to orders, the 
vessel proceeded to Santiago to land passengers and sup- 
plies. During the two days' stop at Santiago I visited 
the battlefields of San Juan and El Caney, and stood by 
the empty grave of Comrade Wetherell of our Post, one 
of the most picturesque spots in the vicinity of the 
battlefields. From Santiago we proceeded to Ponce, ar- 
riving in the harbor on the morning of November 26th, 
but were detained on shipboard twenty-four hours under 
Government quarantine regulations. We were released 



at 9:30 A.M. and landed. After paying my respects to 
the officer in command of the military district (Colonel 
Castelman of the First Kentucky Volunteers, now Briga- 
dier-General) and making a hasty survey of the town, 
we reembarked, and the same night proceeded to San 
Juan, arriving there on the morning of November 28th. 
Immediately on landing I reported to General Brooke at 
his headquarters and presented to him my orders and 
letters from you and from General Miles and Adjutant- 
General Corbin. 

General Brooke received me with the utmost cordiality, 
and we freely discussed my mission and the adoption of 
plans best calculated to insure its success. He caused 
orders to be issued to all officers in command throughout 
the island, instructing them to afford me every needed 
facility and to cooperate with me in every suitable way 
in furtherance of my work. He detailed an efficient and 
accomplished interpreter with instructions to report to 
me and serve as my special interpreter during my stay 
on the island. He sent me with an introduction to Dr. 
Carbonell, the Secretary of the Interior of the former 
Spanish Government, who had been retained in office by 
General Brooke. Dr. Carbonell is a gentleman of high 
character and exceptional ability, and in entire sympathy 
with the new order of things. The public school system 
of Porto Rico is a part of the Department of the Interior 
of the island, and while the individual schools in each 
town are under the immediate supervision of the Alcalde 
or Mayor, each Alcalde is under the supervision of the 
Secretary of the Interior (Formento). 

Dr. Carbonell manifested the keenest interest in my 
mission, and at once tendered to me his hearty coopera- 
tion. 



Assured of the hearty, enthusiastic, and lively sym- 
pathy of all the authorities, civil and military, that 
greatly exceeded my most sanguine expectations, I 
arranged for the first presentation ceremony to take 
place at the Plaza Alfonso XII., San Juan, on the morn- 
ing of December 4th at nine o'clock. 

Promptly at the hour named the schools formed in a 
hollow square. Thus grouped about your representa- 
tive were the principals, teachers, and pupils of the 
several schools in the city. There were rich children 
and poor ones ; all were bright, cleanly, cheerful, and ex- 
pectant. They numbered about 1,200. 

The ceremony was opened by the band of the 
Eleventh United States Infantry playing " My Country, 
'tis of Thee." Then each principal in order of his or 
her seniority was presented with an American flag and 
certificate, which were received with much enthusiasm. 
I then delivered a brief address, telling of Lafayette 
Post and its patriotic motive in presenting to them 
" Old Glory." 

A Spanish translation of this address was read, and 
at its conclusion Dr. Carbonell called for three cheers for 
the United States, President McKinley, Lafayette Post, 
and General Brooke, and even the undersigned was in- 
cluded in the call. Everybody heartily responded. 

In conclusion the band played " The Star Spangled 
Banner," when every male head was uncovered and re- 
mained so until the last bar was rendered. 

The schools were then dismissed, and each, headed by 
its standard bearer, their steps keeping time with the 
music of " The Stars and Stripes Forever," marched 
homeward. I cannot express my feelings as I realized 
the accomplishment of this important mission. 

23 



Among those present were General and Mrs. F. D. 
Grant, his staff, and members of the Insular Cabinet. I 
also noticed the British, French, and many other consuls 
and representatives of foreign nations. 

From San Juan, at which place I established head- 
quarters, I made several trips to the remote parts of 
Porto Rico by boat and on horseback, inspecting the 
several companies of New York State troops stationed 
at Fajardo, Isabel Segunda on the island of Vieques, 
where the soldiers are garrisoned in old mediaeval bar- 
racks. Humacao was also visited. Many of the towns 
were located inland about four or five miles from the 
coast, because the early settlers desired to hide the 
towns so they could not be found by the buccaneers 
who then sailed the Spanish Main for the purpose of 
robbing and pillaging the seaboard villages as well as 
the merchantmen. 

At Fajardo Playa a significant and very gratifying in- 
cident happened. I noticed in the crowd of urchins, or 
muchachos, as they are called, a bright-eyed little chap 
whose attire was even more scant than that of his com- 
panions. He held in his hand a flower. Now, there is 
one peculiarity about Porto Rico, which seems strange in 
so fertile a country, and that is the scarcity of flowers 
which is peculiar to this locality at that season of the 
year. The blossom which this lad held in his hand was 
the first flower I had noticed on the island. It was this 
that attracted my attention to him. Seeing that I was 
remarking it, he came forward and gave it me, and I put 
it in my buttonhole. In return I gave him a silk flag 
that I happened to have in my pocket. He looked at it 
a moment, turned it over, and again stared at it. Then 
suddenly, without a word of thanks, he scampered away 

24 



up the street as fast as his bare feet could carry him. I 
watched him run to the door of his hut, call his mother 
and deliver his prize to her. He then ran into the 
woods at the back of the house and shortly emerged 
with a long stick of bamboo. Well, in less time than it 
takes to tell it the flag of the United States floated over 
Fajardo. 

The next large function was held on December 9th, 
in the city of Mayagiiez. Mayagiiez is one of the 
wealthiest, most aristocratic, and progressive of all the 
Porto Rican cities. 

On my arrival I called on Lieutenant-Colonel Carr, 
of the Fifth United States Cavalry, commanding the 
district and province of Mayagiiez. He assured me of 
his earnest cooperation. I then visited the Alcalde, and 
delivered to him seventy-seven flags to be distributed to 
schools in his district outside of the city of Mayagiiez, 
and received a receipt for them. 

At four o'clock Saturday afternoon there were as- 
sembled at the Plaza twenty-seven city schools and 
about one thousand scholars, the Alcalde and City Coun- 
cil, Lieutenant-Colonel Carr, and all the ofificers on duty, 
Mr. Gerhardt Monefeldt, the British vice-consuls, the 
bands of the Fifth United States Cavalry and of the 
firemen. 

My address was read in Spanish. Mr. F. Cubas, a 
leading citizen, replied in English, stating that, at the 
request of the Alcalde, and on behalf of the people of 
Mayagiiez, he wished to cordially thank me for coming 
to that city, and for the patriotic action of the Lafayette 
Post in sending the flags ; that they desired me to 
assure my comrades that their gift would always be 
cherished by them ; that " the people of Mayagiiez stood 

25 



ready to become loyal citizens of the United States, and 
were waiting for a chance to attest that loyalty by de- 
fending our flag with their life's blood, whether it be on 
the green hills of their native land or on the white, snow- 
clad plains of the mother country." 

I presented to the principal of each school a flag, and 
was thanked by each one in a very graceful and polite 
manner. The schools paraded past the stand and were 
reviewed by the assembled dignitaries. After the review 
sweetmeats were distributed among the children. I re- 
turned the next day to San Juan by way of Aguadilla 
and Camuy, at which places I visited the schools and 
witnessed the exercises which were being held. I sub- 
sequently furnished these schools with flags. 

Before finally leaving San Juan I had a long interview 
with Dr. Carbonell, and together we reviewed the work 
which had been done, the feeling manifested by the 
teachers and children, and the general population as 
well, over the presentation of the flags, the moral effect 
already produced and likely to result, and, generally, 
the influence of this remarkable enterprise of Lafayette 
Post in inculcating among the youth of Porto Rico 
loyalty to the Union of the United States of America 
and veneration for the flag as the emblem of liberty, 
equal rights, and national unity. 

Dr. Carbonell was most enthusiastic over the results 
already achieved and most sanguine of the permanency 
of the influence of the work upon the youth of Porto 
Rico. Indeed, he expressed his entire confidence that 
the schools of Porto Rico would all speedily adopt the 
reception and salutation of the flag as part of their 
daily curriculum, and conjoined with patriotic exercises 
suited to the sex and age of the pupils. 

26 



He had made a careful estimate of the number of 
flags required to provide each school with a flag, and 
showed me data justifying a total of 600. Indeed, 
before leaving him, he exacted from me a promise that 
Lafayette Post would send him the additional 300 (I 
having brought out 300 with me). I earnestly recom- 
mend that these flags be sent as soon as possible.* I 
have no doubt whatever that Dr. Carbonell will regard 
their delivery as a sacred trust, and that he will promptly 
and properly distribute them. Indeed, before I left 
Porto Rico he had caused to be distributed a consider- 
able number of flags, which I delivered to him for the 
purpose, to various schools in the country districts which 
I could not personally visit. 

As I was to sail from Ponce on my return to New 
York, Dr. Carbonell sent orders to the Alcalde of that 
city to arrange for a public ceremonial for the presenta- 
tion of flags. 

I proceeded to Ponce by way of the military road. A 
report of my journey would be incomplete without a 
description of this road. The construction of it was 
commenced in 1880; finished in 1888, and cost several 
million dollars. It was built entirely of macadam, and 
as much care is bestowed upon it as on those in our 
prominent parks. It might be a road through the 
Garden of Eden, so verdant and beautiful is the sur- 
rounding scenery, so fertile the plants and plateaus. 
Every turn of the road disclosed some new caprice of 
nature, some rare blending of light and shade. On every 
side, over every hill and vale, nature's green tapestry is 

* These flags were forwarded to Dr. Carbonell after the sub- 
mission of this report. — A. C. B. 

27 



spread and draped in all its virgin purity. The air is 
fragrant and soft like that of a huge conservatory. The 
poverty of my words prevents me from doing justice to 
the resplendent beauty of this portion of our Emerald 
Isle. 

On my arrival at Ponce on the 19th I found the prep- 
arations well under way. The presentation of the flags 
at Ponce took place on the 20th of December. 

Here I distributed flags to twenty-one schools, and 
some 800 scholars were assembled. Again the flags 
were received with unbounded enthusiasm by officials, 
teachers, and scholars. 

Through the courtesy of Comrade and Lieutenant- 
Colonel Burke, commanding the district of Ponce, the 
band of the Nineteenth Regulars was present and 
played patriotic music to the delight of the multitude. 
I made an address and then presented the flags. 

On receiving the flag and certificate, many of the 
principals responded with brief addresses full of patriotic 
sentiment and gratitude. The following is one that was 
delivered in English by the principal of the boys' 
primary school : 

" Sir: Believe me that I will always keep this hand- 
some flag with love. I will defend it during all my life, 
and I will teach my pupils to respect and love it always. 
When you return to the United States tell how the 
Porto Ricans have received the American flag." 

The Alcalde called upon the children for three cheers 
for the flag, which were given with a will ; after which 
they marched by me in review and were dismissed. As 

28 



the last school passed I realized with regret that my 
mission was ended. 

Many of the schools in cities are located on the sec- 
ond floor of a house, and are hired by the principal. In 
some cases the teachers have to pay the rent of the 
schoolroom out of their salary. The evil of this system 
is apparent. 

Schoolrooms for the most part are cleanly, but scantily 
furnished. Books are scarce, and in the primary schools 
many of the lessons are taught from placards, which line 
the walls. In the smaller towns the schools occupy huts 
containing but one room. 

The wages paid the teachers vary from $40 to $100 
per month, Porto Rican currency. During the Spanish 
occupancy the days of payment were very uncertain, 
but I am happy to say that the instructors are now paid 
promptly. Children go to school at about four years of 
age and leave at thirteen, unless they go to the institute 
which corresponds to our high school. 

There is one college on the island which is conducted 
by a Roman Catholic order, and was heavily subsidized 
by the Spanish Government. I was told that none 
but Spaniards, or strong Spanish sympathizers, were 
admitted. 

General Guy Henry, who is at present military gov- 
ernor, has, with the cooperation of Dr. Carbonell, already 
begun to reorganize the entire school system. 

I was astonished at the scarcity of our flag every- 
where. Wherever I stopped, as soon as my mission be- 
came known, I received requests for flags from military, 
naval, and civil authorities. Many of these it was 
impossible to refuse, and your flags are now flying at 
the naval station, commissary's and paymaster's of^ces 

29 



in San Juan, and the army posts at Cayey, Caguas, 
Guayama, Toa Alto, and others. 

We sailed from Ponce on December 21st on the Red 
D Line steamer Philadelphia, arriving in New York at 
6 P.M., December 26th. 

Much of the success of my mission was due to the 
active and hearty cooperation of the army officers in 
every city and town I visited, and especially to the con- 
stant and zealous aid rendered me by Lieutenant Bird, 
my secretary. 

In conclusion I desire to put on record the opinion 
that of the many good deeds and patriotic works for 
which this great Post is famous, there is none which is 
likely to exert a more lasting influence or be productive 
of greater good than the presentation of American flags 
to the schools of Porto Rico. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Lieutenant-Colonel and Assistant 
Adjutant-General, S. N. Y. ; 
Special Flag Commissioner for 
Lafayette Post. 



30 



ADDRESS OF COMRADE BAKEWELL ON 
PRESENTING THE FLAGS 

Mr. Chairman, Teachers, and Scholars. 

Ladies and Gentlemen ; Thirty-five years ago the 
people of the United States of America were in the 
midst of a terrible war — a war which lasted four years, 
engaging from the beginning to the end over two millions 
of men in active service. 

It is not pertinent to this occasion for me to make 
mention of the causes of that war, or to deal with it, 
except for the introduction of the Grand Army of the 
Republic, an organization born in the travail of war and 
growing into a society having more than 300,000 mem- 
bers. No one may belong to it unless he served in the 
army and navy of 1861 to 1865 under the banner of the 
Stars and Stripes. 

The Grand Army of the Republic is a parent civil 
organization, having for its offspring State departments 
which are composed of smaller bodies called posts. I 
represent one of these posts — Lafayette Post, No. 140, 
of the Department of the State of New York — one of 
nearly seven hundred in the State, banded together for 
patriotic purposes. 

31 



The Grand Army of the Repubhc is a fraternal 
and charitable order, dealing with fraternity and 
charity chiefly within its own membership ; but the 
corner-stone of its foundation is loyalty — loyalty to 
the Government of the United States and the flag 
which is the emblem of its sovereignty and the ensign 
of freedom. 

In many ways the Grand Army of the Republic has 
been instrumental in emphasizing patriotism and in incul- 
cating a spirit of loyalty among the youth of the country 
which holds its position in the family of nations, sup- 
ported by the principles of liberty, and shelters its citi- 
zens under the protection of the flag ; and if I recite 
only the incidents connected with Lafayette Post it is 
not because it has been alone in the labor of loyalty, but 
because I am more familiar with its own history and 
achievements. 

Ten years ago the educational institutions of the 
United States were devoted to geography and history 
and other branches of study from books — regardless of 
object lessons of patriotism — but a spirit of usefulness 
was moved to action within the minds of my comrades 
of the Post, and we presented a beautiful flag to the 
College of the City of New York. It was publicly done 
in a manner befitting the dignity of the college and the 
character of the men composing the Post. Following this, 
during short intervals of time, other flags — many of 
them — were presented by the Post to other schools, in 
different localities in the State, even beyond its borders. 
On these occasions whenever the glorious flag floated to 
the breeze and was kissed by the zephyrs which came 
across our abundant lakes and down the sides of our 
majestic mountains, an inspiration was wafted across the 

32 



continent that touched the patriotism of our people and 
fanned into fervor the noble feelings of love for the 
country where liberty is queen and whose throne is 
equality, until to-day this splendid flag climbs the staff 
on every schoolhouse in the land whenever the children 
assemble, and waves its benediction and asserts its pro- 
tection to the growing youth who are inspired by its 
grace and power, to cherish and defend it. Beneath this 
flag, not only flying above — but draped on the walls 
within the enclosures — the preceptors teach reverence to 
the Almighty and loyalty to freedom ; and the scholars, 
inspired by its presence, learn of the noble duties of life 
and become educated to resist to death the advance of 
oppression. 

Lafayette Post is the parent of military instruction 
in public schools. It has erected a pedestal of granite, 
with mottoes and emblems and prayer set in bronze, 
from which rises a staff piercing the air 150 feet above, to 
fly the flag over a university where a thousand young 
men are finishing a course of study just as they step 
from youth to manhood to take their places among the 
people who rule — from whose body a hundred threw 
away the gown and cap and sprang from the lap of 
luxury and refinement, full panoplied for the war just 
closed, that they might carry to the " isles of the sea" 
the liberty that reigns on a continent of seventy millions 
of freemen ; it has gone into the humbler section of my 
own great city of New York, and supported a class in 
civics ; it has planted on the highway winding through 
the places made historic in the period of the Revolution 
of 1776 a memorial to Lafayette, the noble French mar- 
quis who left his own land to come to ours to help tis 
establish liberty and break in two the yoke of thraldom. 
3 33 



I might tell you more. We feed the hungry and clothe 
the poor; we minister unto the sick and we bury 
the dead, with the flag for a winding sheet as we 
lower them away covered with flowers to sleep the 
soldier's sleep of peace. And the last deed which 
the Infinite God placed within our reach to perform 
was to place in the Volunteer and Regular Army of 
the United States, then in camp for active service, 
nearly 4,000 men to add their strength and courage to 
the forces gathered to go into the fortified places of an 
acclimated foe and drive inhumanity away from the 
peaceful neighborhood of our own happy and contented 
country. 

And now, my friends, in the line of duty which the 
soldiers and sailors of the republic have laid upon their 
lives; in the name of Lafayette Post, No. 140, Depart- 
ment of New York, Grand Army of the Republic ; in the 
name of more than 300,000 veteran soldiers of our own 
war; in the name of the great United States, which has 
acknowledged our mission and aided us to perform it, I 
have been sent to you by the Post in which I hold a 
command, fully cognizant of the sublimity of the price- 
less gift I have brought to raise over your schools and 
to festoon upon your walls — the flag of the United 
States. 

If, as with my own people, it shall be an object 
lesson that shall teach what it implies and lead you 
on to the day when you, like us, will recognize all 
the power it stands for, all the mercy it carries, all 
the security it guarantees, and inspire you to rever- 
ence it and obey its silent but superior admonitions, 
and you follow its beckoning to a high standard of 
conscientious regard for law and government, my mission 

34 



will have been holy, and the end your own happiness 
and comfort. 

In the United States we not only fly the flag over the 
schools — we have broadened out into a wider sphere of 
usefulness : we have been taught by the flag that there 
is yearning for all knowledge of those who fought for it 
and died for it — of all the blessings brought with its de- 
fence and preservation ; and we have established in the 
schools special days for the recital of heroic deeds and 
the eulogy of the bravest men. With tableaux, and ora- 
tion, and song, and parade the scenes of national victory 
and national glory are spread before the youth to teach 
all that they represent. The national hymns are sung ; 
the children beat time to martial music ; the stories of 
noble lives are told, and with this grand object in view 
all are directed to the God of the nation which governs 
in His name and lives by the precept of the Golden Rule 
of Christ. 

Teachers, I commend the flag to you as a text-book 
of freedom. Tell these children of its birth, its his- 
tory, its glorious achievements ; tell them that under 
its government every child is of noble birth and every 
son may become a ruler. 

And scholars, I have been sent here by veteran sol- 
diers who want you to share their comforts, their hap- 
piness, their liberty. They have fought on many a 
bloody field for the supremacy of this flag ; not because 
they were valiant alone, but because the flag would pro- 
tect their hearthstones and the sanctity of their homes. 
They left homes of comfort — their fond mothers, lov- 
ing wives ; they tore themselves away from their cling- 
ing children, and endured hardships, and suffering, and 
pain. Many left their limbs on the field of battle, and 

35 



thousands have borne for thirty years physical suffering 
and poverty that this beautiful flag might be preserved. 
And now they send it to you with all the blessings it 
represents, to cheer you on the way of life. Cherish it, 
I beseech you, as you should esteem honor and purity ; 
and never forget that it was human love which sent it to 
you, and divine love which gave it birth. 

Fellow citizens — and I address you thus advisedly — 
my duty on this occasion is done, and in the fulfilment 
of the mission there has been laid an obligation upon 
you that can only end with your lives. Whoever holds 
up that flag is a benefactor of the human race ; whoever 
hauls it down is a master of oppression and a curse to 
his kindred. 



36 




c/2 ej 



o S 
►J u 

O A 



To 

in charge of School 

at , Porto Rico. 

Dear Sir : The National Flag of the United States of 
America is presented herewith to the school in your 
charge, by Lafayette Post, No. 140, Department of New 
York of the Grand Army of the Republic, a national 
organization composed entirely of veterans who saw ser- 
vice in defending the flag in the Civil War, 1861 to 1865. 

Lafayette Post is a prominent part of such organiza- 
tion. It contains many conspicuous and brilliant soldiers 
among its members, including several Generals who have 
participated in the war with Spain. 

Many retired soldiers and prominent and distinguished 
citizens of the United States are, or have been, mem- 
bers of the organization ; among them the following 
Presidents of the United States : Generals U. S. Grant, 
Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, Benjamin 
Harrison, and William McKinley ; also Generals W. T. 
Sherman, P. H. Sheridan, Joseph Hooker, H. W. 
Slocum, Daniel E. Sickles, O. O. Howard, Russell 
A. Alger, now Secretary of War; Nelson A. Miles, 
now Commander of the United States Army, and 
Daniel Butterfield, Commander of Lafayette Post, and 
others. 

Lafayette Post inaugurated a system of presenting 

39 



the flag of our country to the Pubhc Schools in the 
United States. 

In common with all our citizens, it feels a deep interest 
in the welfare of the people of our beautiful island of 
Porto Rico. It desires that Porto Rican youth should 
speedily follow our custom to venerate and love this flag. 
This flag ensures not only the protection of liberty and 
the rights of all who live under it, but also religious 
freedom, security in rights of property, with the happi- 
ness and prosperity that come from honest work. 

I come to see that you receive this flag as the custo- 
dian and guardian on behalf of the donors, my comrades 
of Lafayette Post, and the school and scholars to whom 
it is now presented. It is to remain in your custody 
and that of whomever succeeds you in the care of the 
school property. 

Hoping you will accept this as a sacred trust, and that 
it may prove serviceable in making good citizens of the 
youth under your charge, I am 

Your friend and servant, 

Lt.-Col. and A. A. G. Staff 
of Governor of New York, 
Junior Vice- Commander of 
Lafayette Post, and Special 
School Flag Comtnissioner 
to Porto Rico. 
San Juan, Porto Rico, 

December 17, 1898. 

[The foregoing is a copy of the certificate, printed both in English and Spanish, 
that was presented with the flag to each school, in suitable form for framing, in the 
centre of which was a beautifully embossed flag, of which the outside cover of this 
book is a facsimile.] 

40 



CIRCULAR OF INSTRUCTIONS, PRINTED IN ENG- 
LISH AND SPANISH, DISTRIBUTED TO ALL 
THE SCHOOLS 

The general form of presentation of the United States 
flag in most of the pubhc schools is substantially as fol- 
lows : At the given hour in the morning the pupils are 
assembled and in their place in the school. A signal is 
given by the principal of the school. Every student or 
pupil rises in his place. The flag is brought forward to 
the principal or teacher. While it is being brought for- 
ward from the door to the stand of the principal or 
teacher every pupil gives the flag the military salute, 
which is as follows : 

The right hand uplifted, palm upward, to a line with 
the forehead, close to it. While thus all standing with 
the palm uplifted and in the attitude of salute, all the 
pupils repeat together slowly and distinctly the follow- 
ing pledge : 

" I pledge allegiance to my flag and to the republic 
for which it stands. One nation indivisible, with liberty 
and justice for all." 

At the words as pronounced in this pledge, " to my 
flag,'' each one extends the right hand gracefully, palm 
upward, toward the flag until the end of the pledge or 

41 



affirmation. Then all hands drop to the side. The 
pupils still standing, all sing together in unison the song, 
"America," " My Country, 'tis of Thee." 

In the primary departments, where the children are 
very small, they are taught and repeat this instead of 
the pledge as given for the older children : 

" I give my hand, my head, my heart to my country. 
One country, one people, one flag." 



42 



Yauco, Porto Rico, December 27, 1898. 
Colonel Allan C. Bakewell, 

Junior Vice- Cotnmander Lafayette Post, No. 140, 
G. A. R., New York City. 

Dear Colonel : Enclosed please find an address read 
by Senorita Ines Caparros Soler at the turning over of 
the flags to the schools in this city on the 25th day of 
December at 9 A. M. The presentation was made in the 
city hall, a large number of the representative citizens 
of the place, the teachers of all the schools in the dis- 
trict of Yauco, and the pupils of the city schools being 
present. The city band discoursed our national airs. 
After the speaking was over, the whole party marched 
to the oldest school in the place, on which a flag was 
raised, the band playing " The Star Spangled Banner," 
the men uncovering, after which three cheers were given, 
and the ceremony was over. Hoping you had a pleas- 
ant voyage to New York, and with kind regards, 

Yours very truly, 

C. A. Vernon, 

Captain Nineteenth Infantry, 

Commanding Post. 



43 



To President McKinley, 

General Henry, the American People, Her Gallant 
Army and Navy, and All Persons Who Have the 
True American Heart — Greetings. 

In receiving this flag that symbolizes Hberty and prog- 
ress, the great federation of 45 states, with 70 millions 
of inhabitants all living in law and democracy my heart 
is filled with untold joy in feeling that in receiving this 
beautiful emblem I am becoming baptized as an Ameri- 
can and thus becoming in possession of all liberties that 
our new father country enjoys and which are those to 
which she owes her greatness and power and against 
which must ever crumble all tyrannous governments. 

Please bear to President McKinley the testimony of 
our profound admiration for him personally, the great 
leader of that onward movement of human liberty whose 
light is being shed upon us to day, also to the great 
American people of whom we are so proud to call our- 
selves fellow-citizens, to the adopted country of Lafay- 
ette, immortal name that recalls to us many historic 
events of your independence war. Say to those who 
have sent us that flag that it shall ever stand in the place 
of honor in our school and that our scholars shall be 
taught to love and venerate it, trusting our fathers, sons 
and brothers to defend it against all enemies whatsoever. 

44 



May this beautiful star spangled banner ever wave 
over the land of the free and the home of the brave and 
may we ever live under its folds. 



INES Caparros Soler. 



School mistress. 
Yauco 
P. R. 
W. I. 

U. S. A. 



45 



War Department, 

Headquarters Department of Porto Rico, 

Secretary of Fomento. 

San Juan, January ii, 1899. 

Mr. Allan C. Bakewell, 

New York. 

Sir : I had the honor to receive your favor, dated 
December 30th, and see that Christmas festivities have 
been an impediment for that patriotic Canton * to meet. 

I must inform you that I had the pleasure to distrib- 
ute twenty flags to the schools of Arecibo, and the 
festivity resulted splendid, my speech being much ap- 
plauded, as in same I exposed why it is our duty to love 
"The Old Glory." 

The Arecibo people send their most enthusiastic 
thanks to the Canton Lafayette for their patriotic gift. 

The same day, five flags were distributed at Camuy 
with the greatest pomp possible. 

Yours respectfully, 

Dr. S. Carbonell. 

* Post. 



46 



Extract from the Report of Committee on Military 
Instruction 



" Resolved, That the Committee on Military Instruc- 
tion and Patriotic Education in Schools, to which was 
referred the report of Comrade Bakewell upon the pres- 
entation of flags to the schools of Porto Rico, beg to 
report that, after its reading and careful consideration, 
we feel that the thanks of the Post are due to Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel Bakewell for the very thorough manner in 
which he performed this service, and that we approve 
the carrying out of the recommendation therein con- 
tained as to forwarding 300 additional flags. We also 
take this occasion to thank Commander Butterfield for 
the manner in which he has carried forward this work 
since the committee referred it to him with power." 



47 



U. S. A., Department of Porto Rico, 
Office of Justice of Juana Diaz. 
January 7, 1899. 

Mr. Allan C. Bakewell, 

School Flag Commissioner to Porto Rico. 

Sir : The town council, in special session held to- 
day, resolved to address to you a message appreciative 
of our gratitude to you, as the representative of Post 
Lafayette, for the valued gift which the said Post has 
been pleased to make to the schools of this district. 
The act of distribution took place upon the first day of 
the present month, accompanied by public ceremonies, 
with the attendance and assistance of the authorities 
and the Governor-General of the island. Please to ex- 
tend to your honorable associates of the Post our great 
gratitude. 

Most respectfully, 

E. Froenceschi, 

The Chief Justice. 



48 



Don Jose Cordoves y Berrios 

Secretary of the Town Cotcncil of Hato Grande, Porto Rico^ 

Certifies that this Council, in regular session, on the 
i6th of December, passed the following: 

The President said that in the capital a day had been 
appointed for holding a beautiful civic festival, with the 
intention of delivering to the schools the flags which 
had been patriotically dedicated by Post Lafayette, No. 
140, of the Department of New York ; and that there 
were in this municipality five schools, whose teachers and 
scholars had the same love for the " Old Glory " of the 
United States as those of the capital ; and that we 
should earnestly request for these educational centres 
the glorious ensigns now being carried about Guanica 
and San Juan with so much acclamation ; and that we 
pray and hope for their unfolding, with all the affection, 
admiration, and devotion which this majestic symbol 
of American liberty is deserving of. The council by 
unanimous vote, placed on record their request to said 
Post, which has shown a proof of its refining affection by 
the gift of flags that lighten our people with their stars, 
and bind us together fraternally with red and white 
bands. 

4T 49 



And to remit a copy of this resolution, which is 
filed December 22, 1898, at Hato Grande, to the 
President of Post Lafayette. 

Jose Cordoves y Berrios, 

El Alcalde Aporte. 

CONCURRING : 

The President, 

Fernando Aponte; 

Alderme7i or Councibnen, 

Federico Seltes, 
Felipe Gonzales, 
Luis Seltes, 
Domingo Suarez, 
Sebastian Aponte, 
Rafael Coton, 
Fernado R. Rodriguez, 
Jose Rodriguez Seyo; 

Secretary, 

Jose Cordoves y Berrios. 



50 



Office Purchasing and Depot Commissary, 
U. S. Army. 
San Juan, Porto Rico, February 25, 1899. 

Colonel Allan C. Bakewell, 

New York City. 

My dear Colonel Bakewell: Upon receipt of your 
letter of the 9th instant in regard to the distribution of 
the flags contributed by Lafayette Post to the schools 
of this island I called upon Dr. Carbonell and found that 
he was out of the city. I found out last evening that 
he had returned, so I looked him up this morning, and 
he informed me that he had received the flags and had 
turned them over to the new Secretary of the Interior ; 
that he had distributed some of the flags that he had re- 
ceived from you in person, but at the time of his res- 
ignation from ofifice still had fifteen of these flags in 
his possession, and these he also delivered to the new 
Secretary of the Interior, making 315 that he turned 
over ; and that he had written you. I then hunted up 
the Secretary of the Interior, and from him learned that 
all these flags had been turned over to General J. B. 
Eaton, Superintendent of Public Instruction in this 
island. I then hunted up General Eaton, whose ofifice is 
in this city, and he informed me that he received these 
flags and is now distributing them as rapidly as can be 
done, in a way to insure that all will reach their proper 

51 



destinations. I know you will be pleased to learn that 
General Eaton seems much interested in this matter and 
is going to see that the schools get them. The Assist- 
ant Secretary of the Interior told me this morning that 
he tried to get one of these flags for his building, but 
General Eaton refused, saying that he needed them all 
for his schools. 

So I think, Colonel, that you can rest assured that 
the good work you began will be most satisfactorily 
completed by General Eaton. It will always be a pleasure 
to me to do anything for you or your Post, Colonel, 
and I trust you will not hesitate to call upon me. 

Sincerely yours, 

John Little, 

Major, U. S. Army. 



52 



Lafayette Post, No. 140, 
Department of New York, G. A. R. 
New York, February 14, 1899. 

Major-General Guy V. Henry, 

Commanding Department of Porto Rico, 
San yuan, Porto Rico. 

Dear Sir: As you may be aware, Lafayette Post 
undertook to furnish an American flag to every school 
in Porto Rico, and to that end Lieutenant-Colonel 
Allan C. Bakewell visited Porto Rico with several hun- 
dred American flags. 

Under the direction of General Brooke, Dr. Carbonell, 
Secretary of the Interior, assisted Colonel Bakewell in 
the distribution of these flags ; and such flags as Colonel 
Bakewell had not time to personally distribute before 
returning North were left in his charge, since which time 
Lafayette Post has forwarded 300 additional flags to his 
care. 

Inasmuch as the newspapers report that Dr. Carbonell 
no longer fills that position, we respectfully request that, 
if you have made no other arrangement, you will des- 
ignate Major George W. Fishback, Chief Paymaster, 
Department of Porto Rico, as the ofificer to direct the 
distribution of these flags among the schools in the 

53 



Department of Porto Rico. Major Fishback is about 
to sail from New York, and we understand he is willing 
to undertake this mission. 

By complying with the above suggestion you will con- 
fer a favor upon the Post, and, as we believe, assist in the 
proper distribution of the flags. 

Very sincerely yours, 




Commander. 



54 



War Department, 

Headquarters Department of Porto Rico. 

Secretary of Fomento. 

San Juan, February i6, 1899. 

Colonel Allan C. Bakewell, 

New York City. 

Dear Sir : The 300 flags recently shipped us, through 
the courtesy of Lafayette Post, for use by the public 
schools here, have been received, and will shortly be 
distributed to schools not yet supplied throughout the 
island. We find your circular letters and order of exer- 
cises also enclosed. 

General Eaton, Superintendent of Public Instruction, 
directs me to thank the Post and you personally for 
your patriotic efforts in behalf of our schools. So far as 
he has been able to observe, the ceremony of saluting 
the flag is performed daily in all of the schools here. 

Very truly yours, 

Victor S. Clark, 

Deputy Superintendent. 



57 



War Department, 

Headquarters Department of Porto Rico. 

Secretary of Fomento. 

San Juan, February 28, 1899. 

Commander J. J. Little, 

Lafayette G. A. R. Post, New York City. 

Dear Sir: I wrote Lieutenant-Colonel Bakewell* 
recently, acknowledging receipt of flags. We shall wel- 
come the cooperation of Major Fishback in the matter. 

By order of General Eaton, Superintendent of Public 
Instruction. 

V. S. Clark, 

Deputy Superintendent. 

* Refers to letter of February i6th, appearing on page 57 of this 
report. 



58 



Office of Chief Paymaster, 
San Juan, Porto Rico, March 13, 1899. 

Colonel Allan C. Bakewell, 

No. 479 Fifth Avenue, New York City, N. Y. 

My dear Colonel: A hurried word to say that the 
flags, and the three hundred certificates pubHshed in 
EngHsh and Spanish, and signed by you, intended for 
each school which secured a flag, were all received and 
distributed. I saw General Eaton to-day, and have an 
appointment with him for to-morrow afternoon. I will 
write you fully after that interview. 

***** 

Best wishes to you and Bird. Write me often, and I 
shall do the same. 

Sincerely yours, 

Geo. W. Fishback. 



59 



Anascer, Playa, 
Porto Rico, February 12, 1899. 



Colonel Allan C. Bakewell, 

New York. 

Dear Sir: On January first of this year, the flag, 
which you had sent me, in the name of the " Post La- 
fayette " was delivered. My scholars received it with 
many expressions of endearment, and to excite their 
enthusiasm the more, I improvised a procession about 
the neighborhood of the school of my especial charge 
and upon our return I told them that this flag is the 
ensignia of protection and liberty and that we ought to 
love and defend it, in order to belong to the grandest 
and richest nation of the earth, and to have the assur- 
ance that we are beginning an era of progress and pros- 
perity. We are in fact Americans, rallying with ardent 
enthusiasm under the starry banner, and to-day we are 
Americans by right. Each day, after roll-call, I have 
the flag presentation, according to your instructions, 
and on Saturday, I give my scholars an open air lesson, 
along by the shore of the ocean, always carrying for our 
device, this flag, which as you said, secures not only the 
benefits of liberty and the rights of all those who live 

60 



under it, but also religious liberty, and the guarantee of 
the right of property and the happiness and prosperity 
which result from honorable employment. Men like 
yourself and the members of the " Post Lafayette " are 
the more beneficial to the Nation, because you succeed 
in making everything very interesting, through your 
object lessons, and most powerfully inculcating and en- 
couraging the love of country among all its citizens. 

I am sincerely yours, 

Ulpiano Crespoy. 



6t 



War Department, 
Headquarters Department of Porto Rico. 
Secretary of Interior. 

Section of Education. 

San Juan, March 21, 1899. 

Lieutenant-Colonel Allan C. Bakewell, 

479 Fifth Avenue, New York. 

Dear Sir : We have received your favor of March 2d. 
The flags are being distributed rapidly, to the schools 
not supplied by you earlier, throughout the island. I 
have personally made a trip through the country east of 
the military road, and have distributed flags and United 
States maps to most of the schools in that portion of the 
island. As opportunity offers, we are sending flags to 
interior points of the western part of the island every 
day ; all but about 150 of the last consignment have been 
placed in the schools. When the distribution has been 
entirely finished, we shall take pleasure in sending you 
a full report. Wherever we hear, the flags are received 
with favor, and the pledge is made daily in the schools. 

Yours respectfully, 

Victor S. Clark, 

Sub-Director of Public Instruction. 



62 



Office of Chief Paymaster, 
San Juan, Porto Rico, March 20, 1899. 

Colonel Allan C. Bakewell, 

479 Fifth Avenue, New York City, N. V. 

My dear Colonel : I have your letters of March 3d 
and 7th, enclosing a copy of a letter from Deputy-Super- 
intendent Clark in regard to flags and circulars. 

General Eaton reports very satisfactory progress in re- 
gard to the distribution of flags, and the observance of 
the ceremonies of saluting flags. I will adopt your sug- 
gestion, and, after another interview with General Eaton, 
during which I will get all the information that he has 
in regard to the schools here, I will write and send to 
you a letter, so worded that you may read it to your 
comrades in the Post. It will please them, no doubt, to 
see how thoroughly the work begun by you is carried on. 

Give my kindest regards to Bird, and believe me to be. 

Very sincerely yours, 

Geo. W. Fishback. 



63 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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